Local start-up myFanPark has experienced massive growth since inception, recently launching in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with Nigeria and India on the cards.
Established in October 2019, the myFanPark Web app connects people or brands with celebrities via personalised video messages, connecting public figures − ranging from TV personalities, movie stars and musicians, to sporting greats, DJs, comedians and social influencers − with their fans through personalised, video-recorded messages.
The platform already features over 420 celebrities, including Springbok Jesse Kriel and EFC fighter Demarte Pena, and musicians Ard Matthews, Francois van Coke, Gigi Lamayne, Bok van Blerk, Elvis Blue and Brendan Peyper. Fans can also connect with their favourite soapie stars from shows such as 7de Laan, Rhythm City, Getroud met Rugby and Suidooster.
MyFanPark co-founders Joy Des Fountain, Wouter Lombard, Dylan Des Fountain and former Springbok Rugby captain Jean de Villiers say the platform has experienced a 283% upsurge in revenue during the coronavirus crisis.
To date, traffic to the South African Web site has grown by 492% and orders have increased by 959%, with the number of celebs who have signed up expanding by 172%, according to the company.
Fans in Germany, Switzerland and Austria are connecting with their favourite celebrities through the platform, and fans in India and Nigeria will soon get to do so too.
“Having the right team to grow this business exponentially across regions is of enormous importance, and Iain Banner, who recently joined the company as chairman, has fulfilled a critical role in unlocking markets,” says Des Fountain.
The platform works by allowing fans or a consumer brand to choose their favourite celebrity, complete a booking form and tell the star the content of the video as well as who it’s for and what they’d like them to say.
The celebrity will record the video within seven days as per instructions, and WhatsApp it to the fan or the brand for a fee.
Celebrities set their own price per order, of which myFanPark takes a small handling fee.
Banner has expertise in sports marketing, sponsorship and event creation. He also co-founded and developed the Laureus World Sports Awards and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation – one of the beneficiaries that receive a percentage of the proceeds from every video ordered from the myFanPark platform.
Blazey Pacak, MD of myFanPark Germany, Austria and Switzerland, together with communications agencies, recently launched the platform in Europe.
More than 50 stars, including former AC Milan goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann; Bundesliga legend, Roman Weidenfeller; two-time world champion alpine ski racer, Maria Höfl-Riesch; and one of the most successful long-jumpers of all-time, Heike Drechsler, have already signed up, according to the company.
In the coming months, myFanPark will expand into India, having struck a deal with local entertainment and music industry celebrity Shailendra Singh.
MyFanPark is also preparing to extend its African footprint to West Africa, with 25 Nigerian stars such as Afrobeat artiste Skales, and rapper and actor Ice Prince having already joined the platform to uplift and motivate others through messages of love, hope and inspiration.
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